[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6498576,"mediaKeyId","5716067-eaa9408c5feeedf6752bfc42cb8a0e56","parentId",5716067,"title","Belmont commissioners hear updated community center designs after large neighborhood festival","audioSeconds",3760,"startMs",422000,"endMs",4182000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716067-eaa9408c5feeedf6752bfc42cb8a0e56&start=422&end=4182","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716067-eaa9408c5feeedf6752bfc42cb8a0e56/thumbnail_422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6498576/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Belmont-commissioners-hear-updated-community-center-designs-after-large-neighborhood-festival","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498576-251bad012b1327a18af5ed199c7d607d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167324&Signature=Ogcxrb3evsXDP6NjG6y5WEfHVjNcodmehVsg0yHNY2joro-uxA6DRrrkx6JwTRVFXnzxPRHxtlBXoVInHMOnZOP9CJ9n48ZVlRu~PRulYPfGE6Sd8hvGeAJd3GksUvwuz3g46WKOV5NGGMPrhpjzeTTWGlZ5RaSpUuqY8vnwggahoXlXfgGEcatew8FjIzjA384ZmS7BNqdAi6sERyQrG3HtagciH8R-k0wZA9T9iHmGbnTClbWBe8hbZfXqojtj6swDynQEEzP7P84sh4TBscyM3GJ~H8i9QODPPmC1r86Sr39tB4hEoH7VjQ~cV4BnVofMRGUoo0kAy5~WhCc3ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Belmont City","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","Belmont Parks and Recreation Commissioners on Wednesday heard a recap of the Belmont Community Foundation’s Imagine Together Festival and an updated design and timeline from Group 4 for a proposed replacement of the Barrett Community Center.

The festival, organizers said, drew what they estimate was “well over 700” people — possibly approaching 1,000 across the day — and produced several larger donations plus an individual match offer for gifts over $1,000. Group 4 presented revised “test-fit” floor plans and program options that would expand the facility from roughly 16,000 square feet today to an estimated 31,000–45,000 square feet in a rebuilt facility focused on multigenerational programs and resiliency functions.

Why it matters: commissioners and consultants framed the project as both a community amenity and a potential civic resiliency hub. Design and operating choices that affect cost and neighborhood impacts — whether to include a gymnasium, aquatics and nighttime field lighting, how to handle parking and access, and how to site dog amenities — remain unresolved and will affect planning, financing and any future ballot timing.

Group 4 said the project remains in a master-planning phase. Jonathan of Group 4 said that, if the project receives a “green light” to proceed to construction without interruptions, the city should expect roughly a 36–42 month schedule from that point to completion. He and colleagues emphasized that the drawings presented are test fits to show how different program packages (core community rooms vs. larger options that add gymnasium and aquatics) would fit onto the existing Barrett site.

Architects and staff highlighted several concrete details commissioners raised during the meeting: parking counts on drawings total about 161 spaces (on-site plus street), but practical on-the-ground capacity observed by staff and designers is closer to 80–90 spaces on a busy day; the design concept includes two playground areas (a secure preschool yard and a separate K–5 play area); tenant conversations have occurred with Footsteps Childcare, Stepping Stone and Heartbeat; and resiliency features under consideration include a generator and battery backup to support the site as an emergency resource when outages occur.

Commissioners and designers repeatedly noted community priorities raised at outreach events: requests for a pool and for formal dog amenities were the most frequent questions at the August festival, and both remain unresolved. Commissioners also pressed on safety, siting of dog areas relative to playgrounds, parking and drop-off geometry, bicycle parking and transit/drop-off access. Several commissioners urged the design team and staff to do outreach targeted at older adults and seniors so they see how the new center would serve them in addition to families and youth.

Group 4 said the project builds on 2019 outreach and earlier planning work; it will be returned to the City Council for further direction on Oct. 14. The architects reiterated that the red area in their program diagrams represents the core, fundable “base” facility and the right-hand options show additive program pieces (gym, aquatics) that the city could phase in depending on funding and policy choices.

Commissioners praised the Belmont Community Foundation’s August event for driving interest and asked staff to keep community engagement active through other city events and targeted outreach. No formal action was taken on the center design at the Sept. 3 meeting; the presentation was informational and intended to shape next steps.

Ending: Group 4 and city staff said they will refine cost estimates, continue stakeholder outreach (including tenant meetings and transit/parking coordination), and bring updated materials to the commission and Council as the city approaches decisions about scope and potential ballot timing.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Belmont City - Parks and Recreation Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Belmont Parks and Recreation Commissioners on Sept. 3 heard an updated design and schedule from Group 4 for a proposed replacement of the Barrett Community Center, following a community festival organizers say attracted hundreds and produced early donations.","taxTitle","Belmont City, San Mateo County, California","taxId",68612,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6498567,"Commission adopts July minutes; records unanimous votes on consent and art program",5230,389000,5619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716067-eaa9408c5feeedf6752bfc42cb8a0e56&start=389&end=5619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716067-eaa9408c5feeedf6752bfc42cb8a0e56/thumbnail_389000.jpg","/articles/6498567/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Commission-adopts-July-minutes-records-unanimous-votes-on-consent-and-art-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498567-ad2b96e88acaf30ae347605cfdf8631a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167324&Signature=JdzT7XtOpzhNxlgWLHPUlp4E5ICRV-QQfQQzOvnWx9eAjp1LkYvGZ9ADD-QJrDkbVjmoZO7kvT4RNumyaKlq334lstVecPimJG6GFOUEXbip~wBPcr~0uHPmeI6dkb3g3pPGiraMObBrb3UCe8LYgb~1iLs2a0ip39nyEHUypRPkJ7-uyzCgnT62YrE~qsJ3W~nDFAB0eSvDltzTF9JCTpoD-UwUeHXMUMbvTxbHobCdvzsL-q~MA6LpTL4B24AXMnO686iNrOUGaA9iP-at845pkd6UioByMZKjhFufa4RE~CriQ4Ms-ryRchT4jaw9Kp3BZgflY~Ybe~Z4lbz2Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of its Sept. 3 meeting the Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission approved the consent calendar item adopting the minutes from the July 16, 2025 meeting by voice vote. Commissioners Lee, Hill, Whitmore, Cunha, Lightford and Chair Emkin recorded “yes” votes; the motion passed 6–0.

Later in the meeting commissioners approved the Happy Hydrant refresh and a downtown utility-box mural program and appointed two commissioners to an ad hoc selection committee; the roll call recorded unanimous support (6–0) for that motion as well.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt minutes, 07/16/2025 — Motion to adopt minutes as presented; outcome: approved; roll-call yes votes: Commissioners Lee, Hill, Whitmore, Cunha, Lightford, Chair Emkin; tally 6–0.

- Approve Happy Hydrant and downtown utility-box art program; appoint two commissioners to ad hoc selection committee — Motion: approve program and appointments; outcome: approved; roll-call yes votes: Commissioners Lee, Hill, Whitmore, Cunha (Acuna was recorded during that roll call), Lightford, Chair Emkin; tally 6–0.

No other formal ordinances, résolutions or appointments were recorded during the meeting.

Ending: Staff recorded the votes in the official minutes and will proceed with posting application materials for the art program and with routine follow-up for the items approved on the consent calendar.

","The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the July 16 minutes and recorded unanimous (6–0) approval of the Happy Hydrant and utility-box art program at its Sept. 3 meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6498571,"Commission approves 'Happy Hydrants' refresh and downtown utility-box mural program",1041,4576000,5617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716067-eaa9408c5feeedf6752bfc42cb8a0e56&start=4576&end=5617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716067-eaa9408c5feeedf6752bfc42cb8a0e56/thumbnail_4576000.jpg","/articles/6498571/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Commission-approves-Happy-Hydrants-refresh-and-downtown-utility-box-mural-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498571-d7ff6b0ce7db86fbbf433cec391a85da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167324&Signature=m6y11ID2j-R10oqudtYaS1O3LZwy0IDQY2LTwJu-iCFIQ3hEOvlhbf7p~fBKgTCzW0vQr2JOdBtF8JQzj22awndsNYPtLau~cdCqnyu8PAQXosrq55nqiR0SaNX0L~xgbTQpDW6FZYd0~9H2m1QuxpRdXenJqzoUQ3uJOxMa3e9TB~jGjfIt6zXom-xg8PJ0OLKJhpc7b9BM-3YJ2NMQSJq7Pu0AQH~kwWGwTN7SoNoJw4O8fLMaFCMOUostQaSQ3fsG~WOSzFHbX-UzRkiF3VmJ-Tddv-u76yh6y8seZEmK-9iZ2mAWNo01-iGNEPhaz0LtJvBkez7dfNKPMDC18Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Belmont’s Parks and Recreation Commission voted Wednesday to launch a Happy Hydrant refresh and a downtown utility-box art program, and to appoint an ad hoc subcommittee to review artist applications.

Staff told commissioners the MidPeninsula Water System (MidPen) — which owns the fire hydrants — has approved an approved list of hydrant locations (mostly along the Ralston Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas corridors) that may be repainted under a city-led program. Staff said there are about 24 approved hydrants available for repainting under MidPen’s conditions, and that painters must use specified paint types and color limits so hydrant operation and visibility are not compromised.

The program will also include a single utility-box mural in downtown Belmont (near Sixth Avenue and Ralston). Applicants for the utility-box mural must show prior experience with large-scale exterior painting; the city will reimburse up to $250 for art supplies for the utility-box artist. For hydrants, staff said the intent is to enable families and volunteer artists to participate; the city will explore providing paint supplies or partner discounts to support volunteers.

Commissioners asked about outreach to schools, availability of paint and whether older painted hydrants are grandfathered; staff said MidPen sets the technical and safety requirements and that the city will distribute application materials online and to local art groups and schools.

The commission appointed two commissioners to an ad hoc selection committee and approved the program by voice vote. During roll call the commission recorded unanimous support for the motion (6–0). Staff said the application packet and map of approved locations would appear on the city website once final administrative steps are complete.

Ending: Staff said the program launch will be phased: the application period, review by the ad hoc selection committee and MidPen approval, followed by scheduling of painting work. If uptake is limited in a first round, staff said they would open additional rounds or expand outreach to artists and schools.

","The commission authorized a city-led Happy Hydrant refresh and a single downtown utility-box mural program that require MidPeninsula Water System approval; commissioners appointed two members to an ad hoc review committee and set an application process for artists and community volunteers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Belmont commissioners hear updated community center designs after large neighborhood festival

Commission adopts July minutes; records unanimous votes on consent and art program

Commission approves 'Happy Hydrants' refresh and downtown utility-box mural program